JPWO2019008999A1 - Automatic warehouse system - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic warehouse system includes a plurality of automatic warehouses each having a rack and a stacker crane, and a transport vehicle traveling along a route. A first rack, which is a rack in one automatic warehouse of a pair of adjacent automatic warehouses, and a second rack, which is a rack in the other automatic warehouse, are arranged to face each other. A route penetrates the first rack in the longitudinal direction of the first rack, and a first route through which articles can be transferred to the second rack by a transport vehicle, and a route extending through the second rack in the longitudinal direction of the second rack. In addition, a second route capable of transferring articles to the first rack by a transport vehicle and one of the first rack and the second rack are provided on one of the other and connect the first route and the second route. Connection routes to be included.

Description

  One aspect of the present invention relates to an automatic warehouse system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an automatic warehouse system that includes a plurality of automatic warehouses having racks and stacker cranes, and a transport vehicle that travels along a predetermined route and stores articles to and from the plurality of automatic warehouses. ing. For example, in the automatic warehouse system described in Patent Document 1, the system area is made compact by utilizing the inside of the rack as a standby place for the transport vehicle.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-11004

  In the above-described prior art, the system area is made compact as described above, but there is still room for improvement in order to store and receive a large number of articles in a narrow space.

  Accordingly, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an automatic warehouse system that can store and retrieve a large number of articles in a narrow space.

  An automatic warehouse system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of automatic warehouses having a rack and a stacker crane, and a transport vehicle that travels along a predetermined route and that stores articles to and from the plurality of automatic warehouses. The first rack, which is a rack in one automatic warehouse of a pair of adjacent automatic warehouses, and the second rack, which is a rack in the other automatic warehouse, are arranged so as to face each other, and the transport vehicle is The traveling route passes through the first rack in the longitudinal direction of the first rack, and the second route can be transferred to the second rack by a transport vehicle, and the second rack can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the second rack. A second route through which the article can be transferred to the first rack by a transport vehicle, and one of the first rack and the second rack is provided to either one of the first route and the second route. Connect Includes a connection route that, a.

  In this automatic warehouse system, it is possible to realize the passage of the transport vehicle and the entry / exit by the transport vehicle using a rack. A large number of articles can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space.

  In the automatic warehouse system according to one aspect of the present invention, the route on which the transport vehicle travels further includes a circulation route connected to at least one of the first route and the second route outside the rack, and the first route and the second route. May be a one-way route in which the transport vehicle travels in only one direction. According to this configuration, a plurality of transport vehicles can be smoothly traveled along the route, and a large number of articles can be loaded and unloaded.

  In the automatic warehouse system according to one aspect of the present invention, the transport vehicle includes a lifter that lifts and lowers an article to be transported, and a lower portion in which the article is transferred by the transport vehicle from the second route in the first rack, and the second rack In the lower part where the article is transferred from the first route by the transport vehicle, a mounting table for mounting the article is provided, and the mounting table has a gap that allows the transport vehicle to sink into the lower part of the mounting table. May be. According to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need for a loading / unloading conveyor or the like when loading / unloading articles into / from the automatic warehouse, thereby reducing costs.

  In the automatic warehouse system according to one aspect of the present invention, the automatic warehouse has at least two stacker cranes arranged in series, and the route on which the transport vehicle travels is at least two first routes and at least two The second route and at least three connection routes may be included. According to this configuration, it is possible to enter and exit an automatic warehouse having at least two stacker cranes, and it is possible to carry in and out a large number of articles.

  In the automatic warehouse system according to one aspect of the present invention, a first transport vehicle evacuation space in which a transport vehicle can enter from the second route and from which the transport vehicle can exit to the second route is provided at a lower portion of the first rack. A second transport vehicle evacuation space in which the transport vehicle can enter from the first route and from which the transport vehicle can leave the first route may be provided in a lower portion of the second rack. According to this configuration, the transport vehicle sinks into the first transport vehicle evacuation space below the first rack or the second transport vehicle evacuation space below the second rack, so that the transport vehicle on the second route to the first route. It becomes possible for other subsequent vehicles to pass through.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic warehouse system that can store and retrieve a large number of articles in a narrow space.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement configuration of the automatic warehouse system according to the first embodiment. Fig.2 (a) is a front view which shows the warehousing port of the automatic warehouse system of FIG. FIG.2 (b) is another front view which shows the warehousing port of the automatic warehouse system of FIG. Fig.3 (a) is a front view which shows the delivery port of the automatic warehouse system of FIG. FIG.3 (b) is another front view which shows the delivery port of the automatic warehouse system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement configuration of the automatic warehouse system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement configuration of the automatic warehouse system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement configuration of the automatic warehouse system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement configuration of the automatic warehouse system according to the fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the automatic warehouse system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of automatic warehouses 30 having a rack 10 and a stacker crane 20, and an article L placed in the plurality of automatic warehouses 30. The vehicle 40 to be delivered and a controller 50 that is a control device that manages the automatic warehouse system 1 are provided.

  In the following, the terms “upper” and “lower” correspond to the upper and lower parts in the vertical direction. The “Z direction” is a vertical direction and a step direction of the rack 10. The “X direction” is a horizontal direction and is a longitudinal direction of the rack 10. The “Y direction” is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, and is a direction in which the automatic warehouses 30 are juxtaposed.

  The automatic warehouse 30 is provided in a building, for example. The automatic warehouse 30 automatically stores the articles L transported by the transport vehicle 40 by the stacker crane 20 and automatically unloads the stored articles L by the stacker crane 20. The automatic warehouses 30 are juxtaposed along the Y direction. The size, shape, weight, and the like of the article L are not particularly limited, and any object can be applied as the article L.

  In each automatic warehouse 30, a pair of racks 10 are arranged so that the X direction is the longitudinal direction and they are opposed to each other with an interval in the Y direction. The rack 10 has a plurality of load placement portions in which the articles L are placed and stored in the X direction and the Z direction. Thereby, the rack 5 stores the articles L in a matrix in the X direction and the Z direction. The first rack 10A that is the rack 10 in one of the adjacent automatic warehouses 30 and the second rack 10B that is the rack 10 in the other automatic warehouse 30 are adjacent (adjacent) and face each other. Are arranged to be. Here, the first rack 10 </ b> A of one automatic warehouse 30 and the second rack 10 </ b> B of the other automatic warehouse 30 are arranged close to each other on the back side.

  The stacker crane 20 travels on a traveling rail 22 that extends along the X direction between the racks 10 facing each other in the Y direction in each automatic warehouse 30. The stacker crane 20 includes a traveling carriage that can travel along the traveling rail 22 and a lifting platform that is movable up and down along a mast on the traveling carriage and that is provided with a transfer device. The stacker crane 20 conveys the article L between the load placement portion of the rack 10 and a storage port I and a storage port O described later. The stacker crane 20 transfers (loads and unloads) the article L to the loading section, the warehousing port I, and the warehousing port O of the rack 10. The operation of the stacker crane 20 is controlled by the controller 50.

  The stacker crane 20 is not particularly limited, and various known stacker cranes can be used. For example, as the stacker crane 20, for example, a rear hook type that hooks and takes in a hook at the rear end of the article L, a clamp type that holds and transfers both sides of the article L, and a fork that picks up and transfers the article L with a slide fork. A device such as a front hook type that hooks a hook on the front end of the article L and takes it in can be used.

  The transport vehicle 40 is a transport cart that travels unattended. The transport vehicle 40 travels along a predetermined route R. The transport vehicle 40 can transfer the article L between the warehousing port I and the warehousing port O. An AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) is used as the transport vehicle 40. The transport vehicle 40 includes a vehicle main body 41 that is guided by the route R and travels, and a lifter 42 that is provided on the vehicle main body 41 and serves as a transfer device that lifts and lowers the article L. The guidance method employed in the transport vehicle 40 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a magnetic guidance type, a laser guidance type, a track type, and the like. The route R can be constituted by, for example, a magnetic tape (magnetic marker), a laser reflecting plate, a rail, or the like. The operation of the transport vehicle 40 is controlled by the controller 50. In addition, as the conveyance vehicle 40, it is not specifically limited to AGV, For example, an overhead traveling vehicle or a tracked vehicle may be used.

  Here, the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels includes the first route R1, the second route R2, the connection route R3, and the circulation route R4.

  The first route R1 penetrates the lower portion of the first rack 10A in the X direction. The lower part of the first rack 10A corresponds to the lowermost stage of the first rack 10A. A lower portion of the first rack 10A is a space portion extending from the floor F in the first rack 10A by a predetermined length upward. The first route R1 is a one-way route in which the transport vehicle 40 travels in only one direction. The one-way directions in the first route R1 of each of the plurality of automatic warehouses 30 are the same as each other. In the example shown in the drawing, the first route R1 is provided at the center position from one end of the lower portion of the first rack 10A in the X direction.

  On the first route R1 in the lower part of the first rack 10A, a passage gap for passing the transport vehicle 40 is formed. In other words, a passage gap is formed in the lower portion of the first rack 10A, which is a space that allows the transport vehicle 40 to move along the first route R1 in the lower portion. The passing gap is a gap through which the transport vehicle 40 that transports the article L on the lifter 42 in the raised state can pass. The passage gap extends so as to penetrate along the X direction. No structural member such as a lattice is provided in the passing gap. In the passage gap, a pair of support columns are provided at a wider interval than the lateral width of the transport vehicle 40 in the Y direction.

  In the first route R1, the article L can be transferred to the second rack 10B by the transport vehicle 40. A warehousing port I and a warehousing port O are provided in the lower part of the second rack 10B where goods L are transferred from the first route R1 by the transport vehicle 40. A plurality (three in this case) of the warehousing ports I are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction in the lower portion of the second rack 10B. A plurality (three in this case) of the outgoing ports O are arranged in parallel adjacent to each other in the X direction in the lower portion of the second rack 10B. The group consisting of a plurality of outgoing ports O is adjacent to the group consisting of a plurality of outgoing ports O in the X direction.

  Between the lower portion of the first rack 10A and the lower portion of the second rack 10B, there is provided a transfer gap that is a space that enables the transfer from the first route R1 to the warehousing port I and the warehousing port O. ing. The transfer gap extends so as to penetrate along the Y direction. In the transfer gap, structural members such as a lattice and a back surface brace are not provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the goods L are received into the automatic warehouse 30 by the transport vehicle 40 at the storage port I. The warehousing port I is provided with a placing table 61 on which the article L is placed. The mounting table 61 has a dive gap (gap) 62 that allows the transport vehicle 40 to dive under the mounting table 61. In the illustrated example, the mounting table 61 is configured by an article support member 12 provided on each of a pair of support columns 11 adjacent to each other in the X direction in the rack 10. A pair of support | pillar 11 is provided in the space | interval wider than the horizontal width of the conveyance vehicle 40 in a X direction. The distance between the pair of article support members 12 is larger than the width of the lifter 42 in the X direction. The distance between the pair of article support members 12 is smaller than the width of the article L in the X direction. The diving gap 62 is formed by a space between the article support member 12 and the floor F.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a transport vehicle 40 carrying an article L on a lifter 42 in a raised state enters the warehousing port I from the first route R1 (FIG. 2 ( a)). The transport vehicle 40 moves until the vehicle main body 41 reaches a position where it completely sinks into the dive gap 62 and stops, and then lowers the lifter 42 to move the article L from the transport vehicle 40 onto the mounting table 61. (See FIG. 2B). Thereby, the receipt of the article L is completed. Thereafter, the transport vehicle 40 returns to the first route R1 with the lifter 42 lowered, for example, and moves along the first route R1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, at the delivery port O, the goods L from the automatic warehouse 30 are delivered by the transport vehicle 40. As with the warehousing port I, the loading port 61 is provided in the warehousing port O.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the article L is placed in the delivery port O in advance (before the transport vehicle 40 enters). A transport vehicle 40 with the lifter 42 lowered is entered from the first route R1 into the exit port O (see FIG. 3A). The transport vehicle 40 moves to a position where the vehicle main body 41 completely enters the dive gap 62 and stops, and then lifts the lifter 42 to move the article L from the mounting table 61 to the transport vehicle 40. (See FIG. 3B). The transport vehicle 40 exits from the exit port O and returns to the first route R1, thereby completing the exit of the article L. Thereafter, the transport vehicle 40 moves along the first route R1 while the article L is placed on the lifter 42 in the raised state, for example.

  The second route R2 penetrates the lower portion of the second rack 10B in the X direction. The lower part of the second rack 10B corresponds to the lowermost stage of the second rack 10B. The lower part of the second rack 10B is a space portion extending from the floor F in the second rack 10B by a predetermined length. The second route R2 is a one-way route in which the transport vehicle 40 travels in only one direction. The one-way directions in the second route R2 of each of the plurality of automatic warehouses 30 are the same as each other. In the example shown in the drawing, the second route R2 is provided at the center position from the other end (the end opposite to the first route side) in the lower portion of the second rack 10B in the X direction.

  On the second route R2 in the lower part of the second rack 10B, a passage gap for passing the transport vehicle 40 is formed. In other words, a passing gap is formed in the lower portion of the second rack 10B, which is a space that allows the transport vehicle 40 to move along the second route R2 in the lower portion. The passing gap is a gap through which the transport vehicle 40 that transports the article L on the lifter 42 in the raised state can pass. The passage gap extends so as to penetrate along the X direction. No structural member such as a lattice is provided in the passing gap. In the passage gap, a pair of support columns are provided at a wider interval than the lateral width of the transport vehicle 40 in the Y direction.

  In the second route R2, the article L can be transferred to the first rack 10A by the transport vehicle 40. In the lower part of the first rack 10A where the article L is transferred from the second route R2 by the transport vehicle 40, the above-mentioned warehousing port I and warehousing port O are provided. Between the lower part of the first rack 10A and the lower part of the second rack 10B, there is provided a transfer gap that is a space that enables the transfer from the second route R2 to the warehousing port I and the warehousing port O. ing. The transfer gap extends so as to penetrate along the Y direction. In the transfer gap, structural members such as a lattice and a back surface brace are not provided.

  The connection route R3 is provided from the lower part of one of the first rack 10A and the second rack 20B to the lower part of the other. The connection route R3 is provided in the middle (here, the center) of the first rack 10A and the second rack 20B in the X direction. The connection route R3 connects the first route R1 and the second route R2. The connection route R3 is a one-way route in which the transport vehicle 40 travels in only one direction. On the connection route R3 in the lower part of the first rack 10A and the lower part of the second rack 10B, a connection gap for passing the transport vehicle 40 is formed. In other words, a connection gap is formed in the lower portion of the first rack 10A and the lower portion of the second rack 10B. The connection gap is a space that allows the transport vehicle 40 to move along the connection route R3. The connection gap extends so as to penetrate along the Y direction. In the connection gap, structural members such as a lattice and a back face brace are not provided.

  The round route R4 is connected to at least one of the first route R1 and the second route R2 outside the rack 10. The round route R4 is a bidirectional traffic route in which the transport vehicle 40 travels in one direction and the other direction. In the illustrated example, the circulation route R4 is connected to the upstream side of the plurality of first routes R1 outside the rack 10. Further, the circulation route R4 is connected to the downstream side of the plurality of second routes R2 outside the rack 10. The circuit route R4 extends from the downstream side of the second route R2 to the upstream side of the first route R1. In the round route R4, the transport vehicle 40 that has passed through the second route R2 can travel to the first route R1. The circulation route R4 may be one-way. The circuit route R4 may be a route of two or more lanes.

  In the route R configured as described above, the transport vehicle 40 enters the first route R1 from the circulation route R4, travels through the first route R1, and moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3. The transport vehicle 40 travels on the second route R2 and exits to the round route R4. Thereafter, the transport vehicle 40 travels on the round route R4 and enters the first route R1 again.

  The controller 50 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program and the like are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and A computer having a communication circuit and the like. The controller 50 realizes various functions by storing input data in the RAM based on a signal output from the CPU, loading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM, and executing the program loaded into the RAM. To do.

  The controller 50 is connected to the stacker crane 20 wirelessly or by wire. The controller 50 controls the travel of the stacker crane 20 and the transfer of the article L by the stacker crane 20. The controller 50 is connected to the transport vehicle 40 wirelessly or by wire. The controller 50 controls the travel of the transport vehicle 40 and the operation of the lifter 42 of the transport vehicle 40.

  As described above, in the automatic warehouse system 1, the first route R1, the second route R2, and the connection route R3 are provided as the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels under the first rack 10A and the second rack 10B. Yes. The transport vehicle 40 can travel in a crank shape that moves from the lower portion of the first rack 10A to the lower portion of the second rack 10B. At this time, the transport vehicle 40 can transfer the article L from the first route R1 to the second rack 10B, and can transfer the article L from the second route R2 to the first rack 10A.

  Therefore, according to the automatic warehouse system 1, using the rack 10 (especially using the lower part of the rack 10), passing of the conveyance vehicle 40 and loading / unloading by the conveyance vehicle 40 are realizable. A large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space. In addition, the footprint of the automatic warehouse system 1 can be reduced. A large number of warehousing ports I and warehousing ports O can be secured, and the degree of freedom of operation of the stacker crane 20 can be improved.

  In the automatic warehouse system 1, the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels further includes a circulation route R4. The first route R1 and the second route R2 are one-way routes in which the transport vehicle 40 travels in only one direction. According to this configuration, even when there are a large number of transport vehicles 40 on the first route R1 and the second route R2, it is possible that the traveling of each other interferes (the influence of other transport vehicles 40). Therefore, a large number of transport vehicles 40 can travel smoothly. The stagnation of the transport vehicle 40 on the first route R1 and the second route R2 can be suppressed. The plurality of transport vehicles 40 can smoothly travel along the route R, and a large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded.

  In the automatic warehouse system 1, the transport vehicle 40 has a lifter 42. A placement table 61 is provided at the warehousing port I and the warehousing port O of the first rack 10A and the second rack 10B. The mounting table 61 has a sinking gap 62 that allows the transport vehicle 40 to sink under the mounting table 61. According to this configuration, the loading and unloading of the article L to and from the automatic warehouse 30 can be realized by the transport vehicle 40 entering the mounting table 61 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). When entering and leaving the article L to and from the automatic warehouse 30, it is possible to eliminate the need for an entry / exit conveyor and the like, thereby reducing costs.

  In the automatic warehouse system 1, severe management is not necessary for the operation control of the transport vehicle 40 by the controller 50, and the operation control can be simplified. Since the first route R1 and the second route R2 are one-way routes, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of deadlock in the operation control of the transport vehicle 40 by the controller 50.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an automatic warehouse system according to the second embodiment will be described. In the description of the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the automatic warehouse system 101 according to the second embodiment, each automatic warehouse 30 includes two stacker cranes 20 arranged in series. The route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels includes two first routes R1, two second routes R2, and three connection routes R3. In the example shown in the drawing, a first route R1 is provided at one end of the lower portion of the first rack 10A and a position near the other end of the center in the X direction. In the X direction, a second route R2 is provided at the other end portion of the lower portion of the second rack 10B and a position near one end of the center. In the X direction, a connection route R3 is provided at a position that divides the first rack 10A and the second rack 10B into four equal parts.

  The transport vehicle 40 travels on the first route R1 in the lower part of the first rack 10A and the lower part of the second rack 10B, moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3, and travels on the second route R2. It moves to the first route R1 via the connection route R3, travels again on the first route R1, moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3, and travels on the second route R2. The transport vehicle 40 travels in a rectangular wave shape between the lower portion of the first rack 10A and the lower portion of the second rack 10B.

  As described above, also in the automatic warehouse system 101, a large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space. In the automatic warehouse system 101, it is possible to enter and exit an automatic warehouse 30 having two stacker cranes 20, and to carry in and out a large number of articles L. Even when a plurality of stacker cranes 20 are loaded on one traveling rail 22, the number of cranks (connection route R3) of the first route R1 and the second route R2 increases corresponding to the number of stacker cranes 20. It is possible to sufficiently exhibit the loading / unloading capacity corresponding to the number of stacked stacker cranes 20.

  Each automatic warehouse 30 may have three or more stacker cranes 20. In this case, the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels includes three or more first routes R1 and three or more stackers. The second route R2 and four or more connection routes R3 are included (hereinafter the same).

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an automatic warehouse system according to the third embodiment will be described. In the description of the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the automatic warehouse system 201 according to the present embodiment, the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels further includes a third route R6. The third route R6 penetrates the lower part of the rack 10 located at one end of the automatic warehouse system 201 in the Y direction in the Y direction. On the third route R6, a warehousing port I and a warehousing port O are provided. On the warehousing port I and the evacuation port O on the third route R6, a placing table for placing the article L is provided. There is a gap on the loading table of the warehousing port I and the evacuation port O on the third route R6 in which the conveyance vehicle 40 carrying the article L on the lifter 42 in the raised state can pass through in the X direction. Is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the route R is a route including a second route R2 arranged on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 40 and a first route R1 connected to the downstream side via the connection route R3. Further comprising a configuration. Specifically, the route R includes a first route R1 arranged on the upstream side in the traveling direction and a second route R2 connected to the downstream side via the connection route R3 in the first embodiment. In addition to the first route configuration, a second route configuration including a second route R2 disposed upstream in the traveling direction and a first route R1 connected to the downstream side via a connection route R3 is included. . The first and second route configurations are alternately arranged in the Y direction when the automatic warehouse system 201 is viewed from above. In the first and second route configurations, the one-way directions in the first route R1 and the second route R2 are the same direction. In the illustrated example, the first route R1 having the second route configuration is provided at a central position from the other end of the first rack 10A in the X direction. In the illustrated example, the second route R2 having the second route configuration is provided at a central position from one end of the second rack 10B in the X direction.

  According to the first route configuration, the transport vehicle 40 first enters the first route R1 from the circulation route R4, travels through the first route R1, and then moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3. It is possible to travel on the route R2 and exit to the round route R4. According to the second route configuration, the transport vehicle 40 first enters the second route R2 from the round route R4, travels through the second route R2, and then moves to the first route R1 via the connection route R3. It is possible to travel on the route R1 and exit to the round route R4.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of warehousing ports I is arranged to face the warehousing port O in the Y direction via the traveling rail 22. At least a part of the plurality of outgoing ports O is arranged to face the incoming port I in the Y direction via the traveling rail 22.

  As described above, also in the automatic warehouse system 201, a large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space. According to the automatic warehouse system 201, a combined operation of the stacker crane 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “crane combined operation”) becomes possible. That is, in the automatic warehouse 30 having the warehousing port I and the warehousing port O that are arranged to face each other in the Y direction via the traveling rail 22, the stacker crane 20 does not move in the X direction at the facing positions, and the warehousing is performed. The transfer of the article L to the port I and the transfer of the article L from the delivery port O are possible. As a result, operation at a high operating rate becomes possible.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an automatic warehouse system according to the fourth embodiment will be described. In the description of the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the automatic warehouse system 301 according to the present embodiment, of one pair of adjacent automatic warehouses 30, one automatic warehouse 30 and the other automatic warehouse 30 include the first route R <b> 1 and the second route. The one-way directions in the route R2 are different from each other. Specifically, in one automatic warehouse 30, in the X direction, a first route R1 is provided from one end of the lower portion of the first rack 10A to the center, and a second route is provided from the other end of the lower portion of the second rack 10B to the center. R2 is provided, and the direction from one end to the other end of the rack 10 is a one-way direction. In the other automatic warehouse 30, in the X direction, a first route R1 is provided in the center from the other end in the lower portion of the first rack 10A, and a second route R2 is provided in the center from one end in the lower portion of the second rack 10B. A direction from the other end of the rack 10 to the one end is a one-way direction.

  In the present embodiment, the route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels further includes a third route R6. The third route R6 penetrates the lower part of the rack 10 located at both ends of the automatic warehouse system 301 in the Y direction in the Y direction. On the third route R6, a warehousing port I and a warehousing port O are provided. On the warehousing port I and the evacuation port O on the third route R6, a placing table for placing the article L is provided. The placement table of the entry port I and the delivery port O on the third route R6 is provided with a gap through which the transport vehicle 40 carrying the article L on the lifter 42 in the raised state can pass in the X direction. It has been.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of warehousing ports I is arranged to face the warehousing port O in the Y direction via the traveling rail 22. At least a part of the plurality of outgoing ports O is arranged to face the incoming port I in the Y direction via the traveling rail 22.

  In the automatic warehouse system 301 according to the present embodiment, the route R does not include a route that only allows the transport vehicle 40 to go around (a route that does not pass through the lower portion of the rack 10). In the route R, it is possible to use the route (the routes R1 to R3, R6) passing through the lower part of the rack 10 to make the carrier vehicle 40 circulate, that is, to form a circulation route.

  As described above, also in the automatic warehouse system 301, a large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space. In the automatic warehouse system 301, a crane combined operation is possible. In the automatic warehouse system 301, in the plurality of automatic warehouses 30, the one-way directions of the first route R1 and the second route R2 can be made different. Thereby, the conveyance vehicle 40 can enter (goods L are received) from both one end side and the other end side of the rack 10 in the X direction, and the conveyance vehicle 40 can be input from both one end side and the other end side of the rack 10 in the X direction. Can be withdrawn (goods L is delivered).

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, an automatic warehouse system according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In the description of the present embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the automatic warehouse system 401 according to the present embodiment, each automatic warehouse 30 includes two stacker cranes 20 arranged in series. The route R on which the transport vehicle 40 travels includes two first routes R1, two second routes R2, and three connection routes R3. The transport vehicle 40 travels on the first route R1 in the lower part of the first rack 10A and the lower part of the second rack 10B, moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3, and travels on the second route R2. It moves to the first route R1 via the connection route R3, travels again on the first route R1, moves to the second route R2 via the connection route R3, and travels on the second route R2. The transport vehicle 40 travels in a rectangular wave shape between the lower portion of the first rack 10A and the lower portion of the second rack 10B.

  As described above, also in the automatic warehouse system 401, a large number of articles L can be loaded and unloaded in a narrow space. In the automatic warehouse system 401, entry / exit with respect to the automatic warehouse 30 having the two stacker cranes 20 becomes possible, and a large number of articles L can be entered / exited.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment was described, the one aspect | mode of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the lower part of the first rack 10A, separately from the warehousing port I and the evacuation port O, the transport vehicle 40 can enter from the second route R2 and the transport vehicle 40 can exit to the second route R2. One conveyance vehicle evacuation space may be provided. In the lower part of the second rack 10B, apart from the entry port I and the exit port O, a second carriage evacuation space in which the carriage 40 can enter from the first route R1 and the carriage 40 can exit to the first route R1. May be provided. The first transport vehicle evacuation space and the second transport vehicle evacuation space are spaces in which the transport vehicle 40 can be accommodated, and can be formed, for example, by removing structural members such as lattices and back braces at the bottom of the rack 10. In other words, it is a space obtained by removing the mounting table 61 from the warehousing port I or the warehousing port O. According to such a configuration, the transport vehicle 40 sinks into the first transport vehicle retraction space below the first rack 10A or the second transport vehicle retraction space below the second rack 10B, so that the second route R2 to the second route R2. In the first route R1, it is possible to pass the transport vehicle 40 by another subsequent transport vehicle 40. In addition, the 1st conveyance vehicle evacuation space may be connected so as to be orthogonal to the 2nd route R2, and the 2nd conveyance vehicle evacuation space may be connected so as to go straight to the 1st route R1. Such a configuration is a configuration unique to the case where the transport vehicle 40 is a so-called floor traveling vehicle capable of moving at a right angle.

  In the above embodiment, the automatic warehouse 30 has a single reach configuration, but may have a double reach configuration. In the above embodiment, the first rack 10A and the second rack 10B are separated as functions, but the structures may be integrally formed. In the above-described embodiment, in the above-described embodiment, the transport vehicle 40 is inserted from the first route R1 or the second route R2 and the article L is transferred, but the warehousing port of the rack 10 located at the end in the Y direction. The article L may be transferred to the I and the delivery port O by letting the transport vehicle 40 through the circulation route R4 provided so as to be close to the rack 10.

  In the above embodiment, the transport vehicle 40 includes the lifter 42 as a transfer device, but the type or specification of the transfer device included in the transport vehicle 40 is not particularly limited. The transport vehicle 40 may include a transfer device other than the lifter 42. The transport vehicle 40 may be, for example, a rear hook type, a clamp type, a fork type, or a front hook type cart. In this case, for example, the transport vehicle 40 can be transferred to and from the second rack 10B by stopping on the first route R1 and extending and contracting the arm with respect to the second rack 10B. Further, in this case, for example, the transport vehicle 40 stops on the second route R2 and can extend and retract the arm relative to the first rack 10A, thereby transferring the article L to and from the first rack 10A.

  In the above embodiment, at least a part of the route R passes through the lower part of the rack 10, but the position of the rack 10 through which the route R passes is not particularly limited, and may be the upper part of the rack 10 or the vertical of the rack 10. The middle part of the direction may be used. For example, when the transport vehicle 40 is an overhead traveling vehicle, it may be arranged so that a route R such as a rail passes above the rack 10. In the above embodiment, the transport vehicle 40 may be retracted using the warehousing port I or the evacuation port O.

  1, 101, 201, 301, 401 ... automatic warehouse system, 10 ... rack, 10A ... first rack, 10B ... second rack, 20 ... stacker crane, 30 ... automatic warehouse, 40 ... transport vehicle, 42 ... lifter, 61 ... Mounting table, 62... Sinking gap (gap), L .. article, R... Route, R1... First route, R2... Second route, R3.

Claims (5)

A plurality of automated warehouses with racks and stacker cranes;
A traveling vehicle that travels along a predetermined route, and stores goods to and from the plurality of automatic warehouses,
The first rack that is the rack in one of the adjacent automatic warehouses and the second rack that is the rack in the other automatic warehouse are arranged to face each other,
The route on which the transport vehicle travels is
A first route that penetrates the first rack in the longitudinal direction of the first rack and that can transfer the article to the second rack by the transport vehicle;
A second route penetrating the second rack in the longitudinal direction of the second rack, and capable of transferring the article to the first rack by the transport vehicle;
An automatic warehouse system comprising a connection route that is provided from any one of the first rack and the second rack to the other and connects the first route and the second route. The route on which the transport vehicle travels further includes a circuit route connected to at least one of the first route and the second route outside the rack,
The automatic warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the first route and the second route are one-way routes in which the transport vehicle travels in only one direction. The transport vehicle has a lifter that lifts and lowers the article to be transported,
In the lower part of the first rack, the article is transferred by the transport vehicle from the second route, and in the lower part of the second rack, the article is transferred by the transport vehicle from the first route. Is provided with a mounting table,
3. The automatic warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting table has a gap that allows the carriage to sink into a lower portion of the mounting table. The automatic warehouse has at least two stacker cranes arranged in series,
The route along which the transport vehicle travels includes at least two of the first routes, at least two of the second routes, and at least three of the connection routes. The automatic warehouse system described. A lower portion of the first rack is provided with a first transport vehicle retreat space in which the transport vehicle can enter from the second route and from which the transport vehicle can leave the second route,
The lower part of the said 2nd rack is provided with the 2nd conveyance vehicle evacuation space in which the said conveyance vehicle can approach from the said 1st route, and the said conveyance vehicle can retreat to the said 1st route. The automatic warehouse system as described in any one of.

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